Driven by passion, love, and understanding
Spirit Mountain Recovery (SMR), as a treatment center for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, was an idea of its co-founders, Chris and Matt Farni. A father and his son who had experienced the ravages of untreated addiction, found a way to recover, and then wanted to work together help others in their personal journey through a similar dark place in their lives and then into the light.
Our first client was a gentleman suffering with a methamphetamine addiction who we put up in the 3rd bedroom of the apartment we were renting at the time. Nursed him back to sobriety, applied what we had learned in our own recovery, got him clinical counseling, and off we went.
SMR was started in Utah. Utah is a beautiful contrast to mountains and desert in the southwestern United States. The mountains although not the highest are majestic in appearance and have a certain calm and peace to them. Also, a challenge of sorts. Something to be climbed and explored. Enjoyed for the peace and tranquility they engender.
Parallels to the recovery from addiction are symbolized by mountains. Mountain valleys and peaks is how addiction and recovery process are typically experienced. From the depths of hopelessness and desperation while suffering from substance use and addiction to the mountain peaks of true peace and joy realized in recovery achieved. The mountains as a name and concept seem to fit with what the SMR treatment experience would represent.
My son Matt’s struggle with addiction since middle school through his late 20’s and my being a direct witness to it as what we didn’t know at the time, the best training we could have ever had in recognizing what addiction is about and how to recover from it. Matt has been sober now for over 8 years and we have been operating Spirit Mountain Recovery for nearly 7 years now. We have a fabulous team of professionals who assist us. Blessed beyond belief.
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The whole experience for us – through Matt’s active addiction and my co-dependency and recovery from it was a spiritual experience. A miraculous event in retrospect. Years of personal struggle – pain, suffering and calamity. A personal journey through addiction and recovery learned the hard way, discovering who we were authentically and what life is truly about.
A spiritual journey. Where we learned to rely on a power or life-force greater than ourselves that seemed to be working through us. A guiding force as we committed to serve others who had struggle with substance abuse and addiction. There is so much spiritual in our recovery. A transcendence from who we were to now perceiving and experiencing life in a completely different way.
It just seemed right that spiritual and spirit would be a part of our treatment center program. Not a program of religious conversion in the conventional sense, but an awakened personal spirit. We had discovered and learned how to access deeper peace with the way the world is and not what it should be.
Putting the two concepts together for our new venture – Mountains and Spirit – Spirit Mountain a place for recovery from substance abuse and addiction – Spirit Mountain Recovery.
Testimonials
The brotherhood of good men that have come together through addiction and recovery has created a unique approach toward spiritual wellness and care. SMR has core values that are built on service to others and a candid approach to recovery that has a deep and lasting change on the men who desire true change and empower them to overcome the disease of addiction. P.L.
Sumner Adams2025-03-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Spirit Mountain Recovery has brought joy and gratitude back into my life. I had been to seven treatment centers over the last twelve years prior to coming to SMR. It was explained to me before arriving that their style of programming is a little different than my experience in the past. It is not just a traditional 12-step program. They put in emphasis on experiential therapy that allows clients to get out in the beautiful Utah wilderness every week instead of sitting at the house day in and day out. This aspect of the program has allowed me to rediscover my passion for the outdoors and reignite the fire I had lost for hobbies such as hiking, snowboarding, pickle ball, going to the gym etc. They also give us the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with the local recovery community through going to meetings throughout the week. The staff made the experience for me during my four months I was there. Each staff member from the lowest level position all the up to the owner made themselves available at anytime when needed. It was clear that they all truly cared about each client and came always from a place of compassion and love. The staff to client relationships was unlike anything I’ve experience before in past treatment centers. Most of the staff are in recovery and majority of them are alumni of SMR, so being able to relate to them on a personal level came very easy. Honest recovery work requires a lot of vulnerability and the staff provides a very safe place for this to happen. They have been in the exact spot the clients are in during their recovery journeys so they fully understand the pain and sadness we feel in early sobriety. Lastly, SMR is not done with you when you leave the center. Between the monthly alumni meetings and calls from the staff to check-in, they really want to remain involved within our recovery journeys which allows those important relationships that were built to continue on. This is just another part of the program that separates them from others. There will always be a special place in my heart for Spirit Mountain. I am forever grateful to this program and the people I met as a result. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, I highly recommend Spirit Mountain. You will be shown love, acceptance and compassion and will have the opportunity to build a foundation of recovery that can bring a life of peace and serenity that we loose when we are stuck in the pit of substance abuse. I wish I had found Spirit Mountain back in 2013 but am so glad I found it when I did. It changed my life and continues to better my life each and everyday. D J2024-09-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It would be dramatic to say that Spirit Mountain Recovery saved my life, BUT they did provide the compass and leadership that lead me along the path to self discovery and healing I so desperately needed to actually begin living life. The staff are almost entirely in recovery themselves or have worked in that field for many years, and most of those in recovery (all but one FT staff member) went through Spirit Mountain. As such, they were not only qualified to light the way but have also lived the journey firsthand and so were able to easily see the pitfalls and challenges that inevitably present themselves and demonstrated daily how to navigate them effectively. All of the activities were ultimately based on learning to live a satisfying life of recovery--living with purpose and joy through connection, willing honesty, and discomfort (where growth happens) without the need for substances to alter what I am truly feeling and thinking in the moment. Being active is an important aspect of the experience at Spirit Mountain, and for me that was hugely beneficial because my additions sucked all of the pleasures of life from me, I no longer desired to do anything but feed the beast. I highly recommend considering Spirit Mountain Recovery if you desire to find out once again, or possibly for the first time, what life can and should be lived like. Sean Murnane2024-09-17Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing program. Amazing staff. Highly recommend for anyone who needs help with addiction. Kev D2024-09-17Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great place to get sober. I came for recovery and stayed for the food. Amazing staff. Worth every penny to achieve sustained sobriety. Jared Pate2024-09-17Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great times. Sober. Good people. Food good. Shawn Toney2024-09-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I don’t normally write reviews but on this occasion it was necessary. I want to say thank you to all the staff at S.M.R. For helping me with a life long struggle of addiction. I honestly thought I was a lost cause and that my life was set in stone with addiction. I was wrong in that thinking and with the help and guidance of the staff I can now say that my whole outlook on life has changed. They opened up my eyes into seeing what life is really about and how to deal with tough life decision in a healthy way instead of self sabotage. It doesn’t just stop after you leave the house either they remain in contact with me and are always willing to talk and help out with whatever you have going on in life. I consider some of them my closest friends to this day and will never forget what they have given me and my family. Jobey Shaver2024-05-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It is really hard to put into words what Spirit Mountain Recovery has done for me, and my family. I went to SMR a very broken and hopeless individual with no chance of happiness. It didn't take long to realize that the staff actually cared about me, which was hard to comprehend since I didn't care about myself. Although I had no understanding of the process and treatment they were providing I buckled down, did what was asked and embraced the uncomfortable. The results are amazing. I am the happiest I have ever been and my family is too! Thank you SMR for showing me how to get out of my own way. I am now the husband and father I always wanted to be. Nate Harper2024-04-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot share enough good words about SMR. At the darkest time of my life, I desperately seeked for a family that would help me in my healing journey. SMR embodies love, compassion, and a deep understanding of human life and suffering. The staff at SMR are beyond amazing, and the program is designed with the client in mind. If you’re not sober and want to be, SMR will help take you there, without a doubt Jaiden Snyder2024-04-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Love the staff and the recovery program they provide! Beautiful area, great sober activities they take you out to do! Comfortable, cozy very accommodating. Big Thanks for all you guys do!
Dan has worked as a licensed therapist, both publicly and privately, in the behavioral health field for the past 20 years. He specializes in the treatment of young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, family discord, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), relational struggles, and a variety of learning disabilities. Dan utilizes various therapeutic modalities in his practice including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relationship-Based Therapy and Existentialism. He has been a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor since 2009.
Dan in his leisure time is an avid mountain biker, skier, trail runner, and golfer. He has also traveled extensively throughout his life to Nepal, Switzerland, Thailand, Italy and Costa Rica.
They have the best team of staff and doctors on this planet. I am proud to say I am a recovering addict because of their amazing skills and treatment. They have changed my life completely and I could not have done it without them! Thank you for guiding me and paving the path for me to find my true self, and what I am capable of. You are all my family and friends.J.T.